Dean Elgar on decline of Test cricket in South Africa: ‘It’s sad that it’s gone in that direction’

South African veteran Dean Elgar admitted it is a sad state of affairs that Test cricket is on a decline. After winning the opening Test match against India, South African selectors had to name an inexperienced team for the tour of New Zealand due to their players’ SA20 contracts.

Meanwhile, it is well known that Test cricket is losing business and it is becoming financially difficult for other boards to keep playing it, except the Big Three (India, England, and Australia).

Players are also preferring T20 cricket because of their respective contracts with multiple T20 leagues across the globe.

“The situation we’ve been put in is not ideal,” Elgar told reporters, on the eve of the second Test against India at Newlands.

“What happens behind the scenes is totally out of our control. It’s out of our hands, the coaches’ hands, the team management’s hands,” said the 36-year-old.

“It’s sad that it’s gone in that direction. As players we don’t have control over that, we have to focus on what we can focus on.”

Elgar, who will play his swansong Test against India, said it is imperative for the players to have passion for the red-ball version.

“It’s up to players to go out and win and show the hunger for this format. As long as I’m around I’m going to be a Test fanatic and I think a lot of our guys are Test fanatics.”

The left-hander added it is a great opportunity for the young players to grab their opportunities with both hands.

“We can fight and promote the format as much as you can but it’s up to the guys who count the beans.

“Hopefully there will be a bit of sanity in the decisions for our players going forward,” he said.

Elgar won the toss in the second Test and elected to bat first.